What is intuitive creating?

“If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.”

― Marc Chagall

Today’s quote is something I think I need to frame and put on my studio wall. A constant visual reminder is good for the mind that loves logic, reason, that tends toward over-thinking.

Also, I take heart with the idea that Chagall himself struggled with this. Maybe all artists do.

How about you?

These days in creative circles, there is more and more talk about intuitive painting, writing, creating.

But what does that really mean? Practically speaking, and to you — in your own experience?

This quote and today’s prompts can help us all explore this and come up with our own answers. By the way, I’m ALWAYS surprised at what arises when I sit down in front of blank paper to write by hand with my favorite pen.

I call this “working analog”. This is different that working digitally – like I’m doing right now typing this post on my laptop in my blog software.

If you are having a hard time feeling free in your writing, or accessing your intuition (or creative heart), and feel stuck in your head, then writing by hand with pen and paper will help you loosen up.

Working analog invites creative flow.

There is a time and place for typing, for sure. But our intuitive, creative brains (and hearts) adore ink on paper. Books we can hold in our hands and close and put upon a book shelf. Handmade journals. Sketchbooks.

Analog brings our senses alive in ways we just don’t get typing on our laptops or reading on our Kindles.

Do you remember the smell of new books? The quiet hush of libraries? Talking with the proprietor of your favorite used book shop? Digging through stacks of old broken books to use for collage or altered books? The feel of ink moving across paper. The particular slant of our handwriting, how the ink smudges if we spill our tea or wipe a tear.

If you want to journal and write regularly, what do you write about?

“As much as we love to create, if we want to keep that essential spark alive in our work, we need to adopt other practices that help us refuel and restore.

If we consider our creative life to be in equal thirds—create, refuel, restore—about a third of the time we spend on our writing practice should simply be restorative, a practice to process our life events, our relationships, our emotions, and to “clear the dust” when we find we have gotten stuck.”

This course is required for more in-depth study and the facilitator training. Four weeks, starts in August, 2015.

The 7 Creative Powers is all about breaking through resistance and understanding the places we get stuck. For those who have already taken Dreaming on Paper or Creative + Practice. This course is required for the Facilitator Training. Seven weeks, starts July 8th, 2015!

1 comment

I always create analog… There is something about the slower pace that allows the words to marinate a little longer on the way out. They wind up more thoughtful, intentional. Even if I write a blog post, I write it out by hand first then type it up. As for intuitive creating (painting, specifically)… To me it can mean a few things: 1) creating with no clear picture in my head of what I am going to paint. Maybe not even an idea. Just stepping up to the canvas and listening. Whatever my gut says, I go with it (and I agree – fast before logic can interject!) or 2) creating a specific something (having an idea of what you will paint) but having no attachment to how that is expressed… No concrete idea of what it needs to look like. Also, I sometimes use the term intuitive collage for going through a magazine and cutting whatever words or images pop out. I guess the theme here for me is listening to the little whispers and trusting them…letting them dominate vs my loud, logical brain.

Hola! I'm Lisa Sonora. ME: an American artist and author living in Mexico. YOU: Crave more creativity, more meaning, more adventures — and are tired of the same old stuff getting in your way. Creativity + Travel + Courage has been the theme of my blog since 2002, and sums up my life mission: to dare to make my life a creative adventure and to help women create more, stress less, and take meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime creative journeys. Welcome to my virtual studio. It’s messy in here.
But not as messy as my real studio. My real studio is located in Oaxaca, Mexico, and you’re invited to come visit and create.